This program is oriented to support five companies led by newcomer entrepreneurs in Canada yearly. Companies will develop a clear marketing and sales strategy and identify funding opportunities. Participants will gain experience and knowledge of the Canadian market ecosystem.
This first round of the program is made possible by Region of Waterloo's Economic Development Grant
Program Structure
PHASE 1
IDEATION AND MARKET VALIDATION
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Whether you are starting a new business or scaling an existing one, the process of researching and validating your ideas holds great value. Your coach will walk you through a clear, structured process to clarify the problem you are solving, who you are solving it for, and define how your solution is the one everyone has been waiting for. Phase 1 lays the foundation for a successful business.
PHASE 2
BUILD AND LAUNCH
Having established a strong foundation, your coach will walk you through the fundamentals of launching a business or new product, how to learn from early customer feedback, and setting up structures that can make any business scalable. With support from subject matter experts, you will set up your business using global best practices, an added competitive advantage in any industry.
What LiftOff Newcomer Entrepreneurs Receive
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Customizable Business and Market Validation Roadmap
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One-on-one Coaching
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Mentoring by Subject Matter Experts
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Advisory Services
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Enrichment Workshops
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Black Entrepreneurship Perspectives Modules
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Opportunities to Pitch for up to $5,000 of Funding.
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Opportunities to engage with other motivated newcomers in the waterloo region.
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Access to a community of entrepreneurs and workspace in the heart of downtown Kitchener.
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Community event Opportunities
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Referral to LiftOff Black Entrepreneurship Program BEP for Phase 3 & 4
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long is the LiftOff Newcomer Accelerator Program?
The LiftOff Newcomer Accelerator Program, will take place over a period of 24 weeks. Clients may choose to continue in the Black Entrepreneurship Program after completing phase 1 & 2 of the newcomer program.
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Will coaches/mentors be only Black Identified?
Yes, our coaches and mentors delivering the LiftOff program will be from the Black community. This aligns with our objective for experienced black individuals and Black-led community organizations to help build and support the next wave of Black entrepreneurs.
Will Facilitators / Investors be only Black Identified?
No, our goal is to provide accessibility to wide range of expertise for each business venture, so you can build in line with global best practices.
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Do I have to pay to join the program?
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No. They LiftOff program is funded by the Government of Canada’s Black Entrepreneurship Program Ecosystem Fund and will be delivered free to successful applicants.
Do I have to pay to join the program?
No. They LiftOff Newcomers program for 2023 is funded by the Region of Waterloo’s Economic Development Grant and will be delivered free to successful applicants.
I live outside of Ontario; can I still apply to the program?
No. Applicant's business must be registered in the Waterloo/Wellington Region to be eligible to apply to the LiftOff Newcomer’s program. Applicants are also required to be legally entitled to work in Canada.
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I am not Black but my co-founder self identifies as Black. Can I still apply to the LiftOff Newcomer Accelerator Program??
Yes. Applicants are still eligible to apply to the LiftOff program if one or more founders of a business identifies as Black. You will be asked to self-identify on the application to the program.​
Disclaimer
All opinions expressed by the entrepreneurs in the program are their own and do not reflect the opinions of LiftOff By CCAWR, their respective parent companies or associated partners. The entrepreneur’s opinions are based upon information they deem reliable, but neither LiftOff By CCAWR nor its affiliates, nor the companies which such participants are affiliated with, warrant its complete accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such.